Black Stars’ AFCON Exit: A Call for Self-Reflection for Otto Addo – Akwasi Agyeman
Ghana’s failure to qualify for the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations has sparked widespread criticism, with Akwasi Agyeman, a member of the Black Stars management committee, urging head coach Otto Addo and his technical team to engage in serious self-reflection.
Speaking after Ghana’s dismal campaign, Agyeman, who also serves as CEO of the Ghana Tourism Authority, described the performance as the worst AFCON qualifying campaign in the nation’s history. The Black Stars finished bottom of Group F with three points from six matches, recording three losses and three draws.
The final game against Niger, held at the Accra Sports Stadium on Monday, underscored fans’ frustration. The stadium was almost empty, and the few who attended sarcastically cheered for Niger, who sealed their victory with ease.
“Where we are now, in a few months, we have two crucial games against Chad—home and away—to try and qualify for the World Cup,” Agyeman said in an interview with Hitz FM. “I don’t believe this is the time for drastic changes, but it is certainly a wake-up call. Otto and his team must look in the mirror and figure out what’s going wrong. I don’t get it.”
The Black Stars’ campaign saw them trail 11 points behind group leaders Angola and miss out on qualification, as Sudan and Niger finished ahead with more consistent performances.
Agyeman added that while the immediate focus is the upcoming World Cup qualifiers, the need for stability must be balanced with a thorough evaluation of the team’s failures.